How to say "art" in Japanese
"Art" in Japanese is 美術 (bijutsu) for painting and sculpture, or 芸術 (geijutsu) for the arts in general. An art museum is 美術館 (bijutsukan).
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Ways to say "art" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 美術びじゅつ · bijutsu | Fine art (painting, sculpture). |
| 芸術げいじゅつ · geijutsu | Art in general, including music and theater. |
| アートあーと · āto | Art. Modern and casual. |
How to use it
School art class is 美術 (bijutsu), or 図工 (zukō) in elementary school.
アート (āto) is common for modern and street art, as in 現代アート (gendai āto, contemporary art).
Example sentences
- 週末に美術館に行きました。Shūmatsu ni bijutsukan ni ikimashita.I went to an art museum on the weekend.
- 日本の芸術に興味があります。Nihon no geijutsu ni kyōmi ga arimasu.I'm interested in Japanese art.
- この島は現代アートで有名です。Kono shima wa gendai āto de yūmei desu.This island is famous for contemporary art.
- 娘は大学で美術を勉強しています。Musume wa daigaku de bijutsu o benkyō shite imasu.My daughter studies art in college.
- オフィスの壁にアートを飾りました。Ofisu no kabe ni āto o kazarimashita.We hung artwork on the office walls.
- 美術の授業で絵をかきました。Bijutsu no jugyō de e o kakimashita.I drew a picture in art class.
Questions
What is the difference between 美術 and 芸術?
美術 (bijutsu) means visual arts like painting and sculpture. 芸術 (geijutsu) is broader and includes music, theater and literature.
How do you say "art museum" in Japanese?
An art museum is 美術館 (bijutsukan). A general museum is 博物館 (hakubutsukan).
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